Customer Case Study: Enhancing EtO Safety & Confidence in Sterile Processing

Fairview Hospital – Minneapolis, MN

Hospital Background

Located in Minneapolis, Fairview Hospital operates a busy sterile processing department (SPD) responsible for ensuring surgical instruments are properly cleaned, sterilized, and safe for patient use. Like many modern healthcare facilities, the SPD utilizes a mix of sterilization technologies, including ethylene oxide (EtO) and low-temperature systems such as STERRAD, in alignment with AAMI standards.

The Challenge

With the use of EtO sterilization, maintaining a safe working environment and ensuring compliance with exposure limits became a top priority. The SPD team faced several challenges:

Limited visibility and data access, so when questions arose, retrieving data was not always straightforward.
The equipment limitations of older monitoring technology lacked the reliability and ease of use required for a high-demand SPD environment.

The Solution

ChemDAQ partnered with the SPD team to upgrade their EtO monitoring capabilities with newer, more advanced sensors and systems.

Key improvements included:

Enhanced accuracy and reliability with the new sensors delivered significantly improved performance compared to older models, eliminating concerns about inconsistent readings.
Staff could confidently interpret low-level readings, helping distinguish between normal residual presence and potential leaks.
With USB data retrieval, the team could quickly pull reports and investigate any concerns without disruption.
From initial setup through ongoing use, the ChemDAQ team provided responsive, hands-on support.
With dependable monitoring in place, staff no longer needed to second-guess system performance.

The Results

Increased confidence in EtO monitoring and workplace safety
Improved compliance with AAMI ST58 and internal safety standards
Streamlined troubleshooting and reporting
Greater peace of mind for SPD leadership and staff

Customer Experience

The transition to upgraded monitoring technology made an immediate difference for the team.

“The new sensors are way better than the older ones. We don’t have to worry as much anymore. If there’s ever a question, we can just pull the data from the USB. Customer service has been outstanding, and the responsiveness made the whole process easy.”

Conclusion

By upgrading its EtO monitoring system, Fairview Hospital has strengthened both safety and operational confidence within its sterile processing department. With accurate data, reliable technology, and strong support, the SPD team can stay focused on what matters most- protecting patients and staff.